Question 1

What does "have an axe to grind" mean?

Accepted Answer

To have a personal, selfish, or hidden motive for doing or saying something.

Question 2

How do you use "have an axe to grind" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

He always voted against the proposal — everyone knew he had an axe to grind.

Question 3

Is "have an axe to grind" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"have an axe to grind" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Used to suggest that someone's apparent concern for an issue is actually driven by self-interest.